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Glory and Power

By Joe Boot/ January 15, 2017

Series  Mark: The King and His Kingdom

Context  Westminster Chapel Toronto

Topic  Kingdom Of God

Scripture  Mark 9:2-29

The transfiguration unveiled the nature of Christ's kingdom glory. In an age of unbelief we must act on our faith in the victory of Christ over all things.

Scripture: Mark 9:2-29

Sermon Notes:

  1. Mark centres his gospel on the unveiling of Christ the King and the advance of His kingdom.
  2. Jesus is the Messiah, but the disciples didn’t recognize God’s purpose for His suffering, death and reign in the hearts of men over the nations.
  3. Jesus didn’t deny the glory and power of the kingdom. The disciples get a glimpse of the victory and glory of the kingdom in the transfiguration (Mk. 9:2).
  4. The glory and power of God would be made manifest in the victory of Christ’s kingdom purposes.
  5. In suffering we need to know that what we’re going through really matters, it has a purpose.
  6. Jesus laid down his life with a purpose of defeating sin and death.
  7. Jesus, who is fully man, is not immune to the emotional effects of the approach of suffering.  So the Father gives Jesus an anticipatory taste of the glory that is to come.
  8. There is a parallel to the Exodus 24:9-18 where Moses and the elders met with God and saw His glory.
  9. This vision of the glory to come helped Jesus to endure the suffering of His calling.
  10. We need to be people of prayer so that we likewise have strength to be obedient to the Father’s will in our lives. By glimpsing what is ahead by faith we are empowered for today (Rom 8:18).
  11. The presence of the glory of God, in the work of the Holy Spirit, is what transforms us.
  12. At the time the disciples didn’t fully understand the purposes of Jesus’ future glory; they didn’t yet see that it meant the restoration of all things and the coming of judgment on Israel (2 Pet. 1:18).
  13. We need to glimpse the glory of Christ by the eyes of faith.
  14. The temporary transfiguration foreshadowed the transfiguration in which all of us will share.
  15. The joy set before Jesus was His people; by our faith in Him we will all bring our work to completion in faithfulness to Him. If we share in His humiliation, we’ll share in His glory.
  16. Peter wants to continue the fellowship in the moment, creating three tents. Eventually we will dwell with God forever, but first the earth must be redeemed and restored by the resurrection of Christ.
  17. The voice of God the Father calls us to listen to Christ. If we want to partake of the glory to come, we must heed the Word of Christ.
  18. When the glory departed the disciples had to walk by faith, not by sight, as do we. The sign of God is given to those who walk in faith.
  19. As they were coming down the mountain, the disciples were instructed not to tell others what they had seen (Mk. 9:9). Signs were not shared with those who do not walk in faith.
  20. Doubt leads to powerlessness; after the disciples’ faith was attacked by the scribes, they found that they could not cast out a demon.
  21. Jesus had given the disciples power to cast out devils (Mk. 3:14-15), but now they are powerless, surrounded by an unbelieving and critical crowd.
  22. We are to bear witness to Christ so that all around us can see His glory.
  23. The scribes wish to attack the faith of those who follow Christ; the modern scribes and religious people will attack you too when you challenge unbelief in the world.
  24. Together with Christ we are doing battle for victory, when we will be totally free from the dominion of sin and death.

Application Questions:

  1. What role did the transfiguration play in the life of Jesus and the disciples?
  2. What is the importance of seeing the glory of Christ in the life of faith?
  3. How do doubt and unbelief affect our ministry work?